SANSU – Surrey Area Network of Substance Users was proud to attend the 8th Annual H’Arts for the Homeless 2016 Annual Benefit Event for Lookout Society.

H’Arts for the Homeless is an experience of fine art, circus, music, storytelling and dance. The event highlights how hope is rekindled when a safe and stable home is provided. At the same time, the night features food that indulges the palate and entertainment for the mind and soul.

H’Arts is truly a unique evening with an engaging and talented cast and crew. This is the Lookout Society’s signature fundraiser that celebrates 45 years of helping our most vulnerable residents.

SANSU – Surrey Area Network of Substance Users’ homelessness awareness video is a parody of an old 80’s song. So many people think they are not going to end up homeless.

I was a former business owner used to making thousands of dollars a day found myself being homeless after I became a disabled single parent.

Don’t think it can’t happen to you! Even if you do have a well paying job, one day due to unforeseen circumstances you may find yourself homeless just like I did.

I wasn’t a drug user, nor did I drink excessively. I still found myself checking my young 6 yr old daughter and I into a homeless shelter.

Watching this video put me back into my past experiences with homelessness. The federal and provincial government must do something about it The provincial shelter rate has been stuck at $375 for over two decades.

Everything starts with a safe warm place to live.

If people think that ignoring the homeless will make them go away. Think again, homeless people cost society many times over what we would pay if we properly had good support and adequate housing for the homeless.

Homeless people use far more community services such as hospital care than a person that has a safe place to live.

If all this doesn’t concern you, at least think about the massive amount of taxes wasted needlessly on emergency services. Want to pay lower taxes?? Then write your politician (Local, Provincial and Federal) and tell them to do more to end homelessness!

Message in Video:

“Homelessness Sucks!

Can’t Afford Rent
So We Live
In A Tent

Most of us
Didn’t Choose
To Be Here!

Most of You
Are One
Cheque
Away
From Being
Homeless Too

SANSU Advocates
For Affordable
Solutions For All
Help Us
Help Ourselves

A meeting of SANSU – Surrey Area Network of Substance Userswelcomed new members, shared stories, discussed the concerns of substance users – Fentanyl, W-18, Overdoses, homelessness in the neighbourhood, harm reduction outreach and created a parody music video for Homeless Action Week 2016